Month: June 2007

There are few areas in the world more entangled in historical deceit and betrayal than northern Iraq, where the British, the Ottomans, and the Americans have played a deadly game of political chess at the expense of the local Kurds. And now, because of a volatile brew of internal Iraqi and Turkish politics, coupled with … Continue reading “Kurdish Powder Keg
Primed to Explode”

"SPRADLING: Congressman Paul, a question for you. "Most of our closest allies, including Great Britain and Israel, allow gays and lesbians to openly serve in the military. Is it time to end [the] don’t ask/don’t tell policy and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. military?" "PAUL: I think the current policy … Continue reading “Ask and Tell”

Updated at 12:15 a.m. EDT, June 18, 2007Curfews were lifted today in Baghdad and Basra. At least 74 Iraqis were killed or found dead and another 56 were wounded during various incidents. Also, four American soldiers were killed and one was wounded in separate incidents. An explosion in Baghdad killed two Task Force Lightning soldiers … Continue reading “Sunday: 4 GIs, 74 Iraqis Killed, 56 Wounded”

Updated at 10:52 p.m. EDT, June 16, 2007Due to continuing curfews, Baghdad newspapers have ceased operations for the third day in a row. However, reports on Iraqi casualties still managed to get out. At least 26 Iraqis were killed and 40 wounded in today’s meager reports. Also, one British and two American servicemembers were killed … Continue reading “Saturday: 2 GIs, 1 Briton, 26 Iraqis Killed; 40 Iraqis Wounded”

Four years after the emergence of the first signs of a serious insurgency in Iraq, US President George W. Bush finds himself beset with major crises stretching from Palestine to Pakistan. With US-backed Fatah forces routed by Hamas in Gaza this week, Bush’s five-year-old vision of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict now looks … Continue reading “Bush Faces Crises from Palestine to Pakistan”

What we are seeing in the Middle East, highlighted by the ascension of Hamas in Gaza and a looming civil war among Palestinians, is the virtually complete unraveling of the American enterprise and the country’s influence in the region. Wherever the hand of George W. Bush has meddled the result has been destabilization, chaos, confusion, … Continue reading “Things Fall Apart”

The drumbeat for war against Iran has begun again, led by Sen. Joe Lieberman, the independent Democrat from Connecticut, and the usual pro-Israel crowd. Lieberman seems to be under the impression that the U.S. can bomb Iran and not get into a full-fledged war. Well, we know all about cakewalks and how they turn into … Continue reading “Lying Us Into War, Again”

RAMADI – US attempts to win over tribal collaborators in al-Anbar province have won it more enemies instead. The US military has launched one of its biggest operations to date to regain control of the province, to the west of Baghdad. It had lost control over the region more than a year back. The province, … Continue reading “US Losing Ground Through Tribal Allies”

According to former Secretary of Defense (1994-97) William Perry – co-author of the op-ed “After the Bomb” for the New York Times – the probability of a nuclear weapon “going off” in an American city is greater today, than it was five years ago. Going off? Now, physicist Perry knows better than that. Nukes don’t … Continue reading “After The Retaliation”

Updated at 12:50 a.m. EDT, June 16, 2007Curfews already in place have remained in effect or been extended. Basra instigated its own curfew following a shrine bombing there as well. These curfews have kept the violence to a minimum or at least made it difficult to report on any that is occurring. At least 55 … Continue reading “Friday: 4 GIs, 55 Iraqis Killed; 13 Iraqis Wounded; F16 Crashes”